A Matter of Faith

The priest shakes his head from side to side as he continues sobbing.

"Have you recently come into contact with anything strange, a relic, or person that didn't seem quite right?" Anton thought to their own Will!'s condition after having come into contact with the sword, assuming that was the trigger.

"No...No, I haven't" The priest tries to get himself together. Living under these conditions; the rats, the stench, being unable to sleep properly, on top of everything he just experienced, made it nearly impossible to concentrate. "I don't know. There are people coming and going all the time. Some from outside the city"

Boudica listens as Will and Anton speak to the priest. She steps forward and speaks, her voice soft and calming. She says, "Father Gunther, calm yourself. Your faith will guide you. Find it and center yourself, please. You must, if you wish justice and goodness to prevail. Please, take a moment to pray, to reach out and ask for the calmness and quiet you need right now. Go ahead. We’ll wait."

Boudica looks to the others, indicating that they should not speak for a moment. After a short time, she speaks again, saying, "Father. Please walk us through the hours and then moments before you found the boy. Don’t focus on what the boy; we need to know about what led up to that. Please."

"No. I told you. I told you everything I know" the priest takes deep long breathes to try to keep his voice steady "I was about to leave to the Church in the morning. Then I fell asleep..."

Boudica thanks him and turns to the others, indicating she was ready to leave.

Once outside, she says, "I see nothing we can do to help him. But we should be on guard; something is going on here. I'd like to visit Balan now, to see if he could help Moryana better than the Thyatians could."

"I can't shake the nagging feeling that something is wrong about this whole picture," Miyana says. "His story makes no sense unless someone were seeking to frame him for the crime."

But who would, frame him, and why? He doesn’t seem to have any enemies, at least none he mentioned. He could be lying, maybe had a mental break or something. There’s no real evidence to the counter.

If I’m going to try clearing the name of a purported child-killing priest, I’ll need a compelling reason.

After asking around town for Balan's whereabouts you are eventually pointed toward one of the wells near a small Traladaran street shrine; a weathered stone alcove covered with lichen, with melted wax and withered flowers inside the wooden niche placed as offerings by devote passersby.

Balan is crouched beside the well. He has his tunic slung over the edge of the fountain, and he is splashing water beneath his arms to clean his armpits. He straightens up when he notices you approaching, and pulls his graying tunic back over his shoulders, then runs his fingers through his thick white beard.

"Good morning"

Good morning, sire. We come with one who is in need of kind direction and guidance. This is Moyrana, a kind young girl of nature.

As a member of the Traladaran faith herself, Boudica steps forward and speaks. She says, "Hello, Balan. I am Boudica, cleric of The Old Faith. We were hoping you could provide some advice. In our travels through the nearby woods, we encountered this girl. She is n need of a basic education, both in her letters and in the ways of being a woman in this world. Do you know of any kind and motherly women who could be trusted with her education and protection?"

Balan doesn't need more than a short moment to think about it "Certainly! There are more than enough good Traladaran families who would open their doors to a girl in need. I'll ask around and find someone suitable. You'll have an answer from me by day's end. She'll not be without a roof or guidance"

We’re much obliged father, thank you.

Boudica smiles and thanks Balan, then turns to Moryana and gives her hug. "We’re gonna get you a new family, ok? One that will help you get the new start you deserve."

Satisfied, she turns to the others, ready to follow the group.

Friends, I will return to Humphrey. I am hopeful he can give me some insight on my magic items, and I believe he might have some potions to help us.

Miyana says nothing, watching the proceedings with some degree of sadness. She had grown fond of the girl and saw in her the makings of a strong adventurer, but they were right. It would be wrong to deprive her of the chance to be among people her age and to learn the basics of life. To force her into a life of danger that she did not consciously choose would be as bad as turning her over to the church. When it is time to part, she hugs Moryana tightly. "Be well, little one."

Farewell, Moryana, perhaps one day we’ll meet again.
Our fightery fellow bends forward, takes Moryana’s hand gently into his, and kisses it.

Boudica fights back tears as she hugs the girl before handing her over to the woman that Balan brings to take care of Moryana. She explains in some details Moryana's history, and pleads with the woman to be gentle, kind, and caring with her. Finally, Boudica promises to return to check up on Moryana's progress. One more hug and then she departs, ready for their next journey.

She looks to Will and asks, "So. Lav?"

Will nods solemnly. Yes, my friend. Yes.

Moryana was starting to feel like the proverbial hot potato. She best start learning the ropes, and quickly, if she was going to survive out here. "Don’t worry. I’ll be fine" she returned a warm hug to each of the adventurers. She didn’t know Balan, or the family who volunteered to take her in, but she was sure it couldn’t possibly be worse than growing up with an abusive hag. Things were only getting better for her, really! "Thank you" she gave you a small nod, accompanied by a smile, though her gaze stayed on Anton a bit longer than on the rest "Safe travels. May you never have need to draw your swords again"